• When here in the Outer Hebrides and looking at a bird, have you ever wondered how rare it is? The status of all species can vary enormously from island to island. How rare is Shoveler on Barra, has Stock Dove been seen on Harris, does Dotterel occur on Benbecula in the autumn, and how common is Blue Tit on North Uist? Well, fret no longer! The Status and Distribution of birds here on the Outer Hebrides has been completely updated and summarised for every species and each of the main islands and outliers. Available as an online resource at https://status.outerhebrides-birdreports.org/ or via our shop

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Scottish Rarity 29th April 2017

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Castlebay, Barra
At least one **Black-crowned Night Heron** still present today but mobile and elusive, ranging over the Castlebay, Gleann and Garrygall area

C-mEyxBWsAEmXRJ.jpg
Photograph courtesy of Bruce Taylor

Loch na Reival, North Uist
*Green-wing Teal* present today

Creagorry, Benbecula
An Iceland Gull seen on the South Ford

Carinish, North Uist
12 Whimbrel reported

Loch Tiumpan, Isle of Lewis
2 Lapland Buntings seen near the loch

Loch Branahuie, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
104 Long-tailed Ducks seen on the loch

Balranald, North Uist
Juvenile Iceland Gull at Loch a Roe and 3 Lapland Buntings at Goular

Loch Mor, Benbecula
17 Black-tailed Godwits around the loch and a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose nearby at Stinky Bay

Ruhba Ardvule, South Uist
A 2CY Glaucous Gull, 13 Whimbrel and 10 Black-tailed Godwits present.

Ardivachar, South Uist
An Iceland Gull and 12 Whimbrel reported

Balgarva, South Uist
a single Iceland Gull, 44 Black-tailed Godwits and 8 Whimbrel there today

Ness Area, Isle of Lewis
News from Tony Marr:-
Very little change and no proper summer visitors yet.

Fivepenny
Black-tailed Godwit – six
Mallard – a pair with 5 tiny ducklings

The Butt
White-tailed Sea Eagle – one over the cliffs W of the lighthouse flew on down the west coast
Common Buzzard – 5 together soaring over the lighthouse area – most seen together here
Iceland Gull – two together by the roadside pool before the lighthouse (1 x1st W and 1x2nd W)
White Wagtail – one
Shelduck – one flew round the Butt E-W
Chiffchaff – 2 in lighthouse compound
Whimbrel – 5
Redwing – 3

Loch Stiapavat
*Green-winged Teal* – the drake and his friend still present (pm)
Pink-footed Geese – 9
Barnacle Goose – 1
Dunlin – 7
Gadwall – drake
Coot – still one
Lapland Bunting – the female still present – no sign of the male
 

MisterT

Always Birding
At Loch Hallan only 40 Black-tailed Godwits and 44 Golden Plover remained after a change in the wind. New arrivals included a Common Sandpiper and 22 Sand Martins which were in two groups ( 14 and 8) “surveying” last years nest sites. On the beach, there was a White Wagtail and a single Swallow along the strand line while 37 Whimbrel preferred the golf course. At Askernish the Cuckoo continues to call and I also saw my first Corncrake of the year.
 

Bruce

Senior Member
A pomarine skua flew north past Brevig this evening. An increase in whimbrel numbers today included 23 at Borve, 20 at Allasdale, 9 at Eoligarry and 2 at Brevig. Common sandpipers are back on territory at a number of sites around the island. A single sand martin and swallow were at Traigh Mhor.
 
Is there any news of the night heron ,first time on Barra should be there about 6pm Monday off the ferry which direction should I take.
 

Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
Hi Bob,

No news so far today, but it was late afternoon before we heard anything yesterday, so fingers crossed. Their favoured spot has been the wooded area around the football pitch at Castlebay. especially to the east of the pitch. There is a paved footpath through the wooded area and they have been seen on both sides. There is also a wooded area to the west and they will move to that area if disturbed, but return after a while.

Yesterday (Saturday), only a single bird was seen and it was very mobile, moving between the football pitch, Gleann and Garrygall. These are areas just outside Castlebay to the east. If you click on the highlighted words, you will see a "streetmap" (as in all the hawkeye posts) so will show you where each location. Failing that, head to Castlebay, find the Co-op when you will see the football pitch. Gleann and Garrygal can be found just east of Castlebay on the road towards Brevig.

One activity that we are aware of that occurred today was the annual "litter pick" of the area. let's hope that they have not been disturbed too much

Hope this helps
 
Hi Bob,

No news so far today, but it was late afternoon before we heard anything yesterday, so fingers crossed. Their favoured spot has been the wooded area around the football pitch at Castlebay. especially to the east of the pitch. There is a paved footpath through the wooded area and they have been seen on both sides. There is also a wooded area to the west and they will move to that area if disturbed, but return after a while.

Yesterday (Saturday), only a single bird was seen and it was very mobile, moving between the football pitch, Gleann and Garrygall. These are areas just outside Castlebay to the east. If you click on the highlighted words, you will see a "streetmap" (as in all the hawkeye posts) so will show you where each location. Failing that, head to Castlebay, find the Co-op when you will see the football pitch. Gleann and Garrygal can be found just east of Castlebay on the road towards Brevig.

One activity that we are aware of that occurred today was the annual "litter pick" of the area. let's hope that they have not been disturbed too much

Hope this helps
Many thanks Bob.
 

Fred

Member
Out of date already but having read through these lists regularly I have to comment on the brilliant way of Highlighting locations with the link to a map referred to above by Hawkeye. A great help. I can now stop scribbling names down on a scrap of paper for my next visit. (I was having difficulty with the spellings anyway.)
Thanks for the helping hand.
 
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